Pick up a book once in a while

Ready to take a break this summer from the Internet and the TV?   Here's a great list recommended by various  panel members on today's NPR's On Point program.  On Point Summer Reading List.   My first choice is one that's fresh off the presses, "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga (April 2008). 

On another note, the last video shop standing here in Concord, MA, announced  that it's going out of business in a few weeks.  Good deals to be had, yet even a video at ten dollars makes me wonder if I really want to buy it.  With Netflix and Comcast's On Demand, the only videos that seem to be worth buying any more are your all time favorites.   The All Time Favorites Question was one of my favorites in Hollywood.  My list is topped by The Princess Bride, written by William Goldman.  Comedy is king in my book with Wedding Crashers also on the list. 

My seminal teen 'awakening' movies were Ordinary People and Breaking Away.  Both depicted people breaking free from insular worlds, with some terrifying side effects.  Troubling, yet eye opening.  One of my most disappointing films was Prince of Tides.   What a great book but Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand?  What were they thinking?

TV Promos -- Web Promos -- and online comedy, Will Ferrell STYLE.

The web has a little of everything right, so why not a web site for news promos?  This is really obscure, but the news junkie in me loves this.  It's called I DO PROMOZ .  It's an odd assortment of web promos and assorted videos that are express "a passion for television promotion. Producers, editors, managers - anyone who is involved with the creation of this thing we call TV is welcome!"

 And then there's Will Ferrell.  I hardly think this is new to many of you online video watchers, but this Geroge Bush spoof has got to be one of his best.  The man lampoons W and his lack of respect for global warming issues.   W does Global Warming 

 Incidentally, Ferrell's comedy site Funny or Die has some of the funnier content you can find on the web, but a few of the comedy writers in Hollywood  that I know have concluded that the web is great for self promotion, but not necessarily for making money creating content. 

One of the interesting metrics on YouTube is the Most Watched Area.... check out the most watched video this week... is it any surprise that it's about basketball as the NBA reaches a crescendo? and guess what -- it's a promo!   NBA Playoffs Promo

Is Katie Couric Toast? Is Network News Next?

Network News Signing Off?

Many Journalists See Uncertain Future For Nightly TV Broadcasts and Fault Current Coverage

I missed this article by Carroll Doherty, Associate Director, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press dated April 15, 2008.  Here's a link to the story

I think that what's next might be some kind of online version of network news.

 And while we're on the network news topic, where's the good news these days ladies and gents?  Between Burma, China and our 08 prez election, there's not a whisper of good news to be found.  I guess there's always the Onion

Alec Baldwin All Time Insult / TV Reviewing

 On 60 Minutes tonight, Alec Baldwin was interviewed by Morley Safer about his mouth, his career, his failed marriage with actress Kim Bassinger and the infamous recording of his frightful attack on his daughter.  He was asked about his ex-wife's lawyer whom he called a "300-pound. homunculus with a face like a clenched fist. "  He retorted by saying, "I was being kind, Morley."   Baldwin's colorful career has definitely been quite a ride.

Looking for a good place to find something to watch on TV tonight.  Checkout David Bianculli's blog, TV Worth Watching.  David reviews Television for NPR's Fresh Air program.  You can also see his take on the 60 Minutes segment above.

One TV reviewer I certainly miss is John Leonard whose colorful and thoughtful segments used to be regular fare on CBS Sunday Morning.    But with the loss of one great mind, comes the addition of another, Bill Geist.  Bill is as about as nuts as journalists come on TV, so don't miss his latest walk on the wild side.  Whether he's buying an Oscar, visiting the psychic capital of the world or visiting bikini clad baristas, Geist is clever and entertaining and able to find stories that would make Sunday Morning's original host, Charles Kuralt, chuckle with delight.

Great Idea - Great Execution - Great Cross Platform Campaign

How do you make an ordinary product memorable?  Tie it to a great idea.   You may have spotted Lincoln Financial Group's new ad campaign which is basically, Meet Your Future Self.  In the commercial  present selfs meet 'future selves' (think Back to the Future).    I found three commercials on YouTube.  The sound is out of sync on the Plane, and there is a noisy interlude on the Nursery.  The third one is called ER,  I got the old raised hair on the back of neck with one of them.

In each commercial the future self gives the today self' advice, thoughts and compliments about planning for the future and future planning well done.   It's simple, elegant and fun, driving home the message about what life can be like in the future - if you save.  The LFG web site has a campaign companion which further fleshes out the idea -- what if you could speak to your futureself. 

This is strong creative work, and it will be interesting to see how this concept plays out on their bottom line.  The site upsells all the services offered by LFG in a smart, compelling, and easy to understand way.